Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-28
Gales aud Sketthts.
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.

The train to Gilead Falls was late upon
that particular Monday afternoon. and as
a natural consequence thereof, the stage
coach to Gilead Gorge was an hour behind
time.
| "Once you lose five minutes. and there'll
plenty o. set backs to make it ten,' as
Reuben Dolly, the stage driver, ironically
remarked, as he piled up the trunks on
the baggage wagon that was to 60 on
first. "This ere's tor Fuller's farm -
said he, and all the rest tor the View
hotel. Now look out, your to the boy
in charge, land don't 90 to tippin' the
bags and bandboxes down the side OF the
mountain"
Guess I've driv' on these ere roads
afore," said Simon Sackett. the long
LEGGED young Jehu.
Eyes, but there's some people as don't
never learn wisdom by experience" said
Reuben, as be rolled up the leather cur.
tains of the stage coach. and fastened
them with rusty buckle.
And when the baggage train reached
the Gorge, the trunks and boxes were all
shaken into such an undistinguishable con-
| fusion thai Simon did not know one from
another.
There's two Mrs. John Joneses," said
he. Zone on 'em's to 20 to the hotel,
and 'tother to Fuller's Farm. Now which
is which? That's what I'd like to know"
Harry Fuller, who was waiting at the
cross roads, with his one horse wagon,
speedily settled the question.
why, this big trunk goes to the hotel.
of course" said he. ''Our Mrs. John
Jones is dressmaker. coming here for
two weeks lest faint likely she'd
travel with trunk as big as Noah's Ark,
is it? Keel in the little one. quick?"
So that when Mrs John Jones herself
reached the cross roads, she very natural
lv entered the same equipage that con-
tanned her trunk.
She was little woman, with cheeks
which still retain youthful freshness !;
yellow, rippling hair and timid blue eyes !;
and she was dressed in inexpensive black,
covered all over with a linen duster.
Harry Fuller glanced at her with a side
wise regard as he whipped up his fat
and meditative horse.
Il don't quite know how you'll like it,
said he, "but our folks have changed your
ROOM"
Changed my room," said the boarder,
glancing inquringly at him.
"YOu see, after we settled you were to
have the front bed room," he explained,
"my mother got letter from Mr.. Lefton
Mrs. Lefton used to work in the factory
years ago; but she married city lawyer
and now there isn't anything good enough
for her. And they wanted nay mother to
give them three communicating rooms
and so mother thought you wouldn't mind
the little room over the kitchen. City
boarders mostly spend all their time out
doors, you know; and it isn't so very no,
after the supper fire has gone OUT
Mrs. John Jones was silent.
II told mother she ough,n't to do it,
said the young farmer, "but Mrs. Lefton
would have that room. And mother
thought she could explain it all to you
when you came. And the room will be
fifty cents week less"
"Oh !" said Mrs. John Jones.
Fuller's farm was a long. low. strag.
Cling building, shaded by ancient elms,
and possessing peaked roof and chin
ney-stack which would have delighted the
soul of an artist.
Old Mrs. Fuller hustled to receive her
guests. The tea hour was already past.
but there was a bowl of milk and heap
ing saucer of red raspberries on the table,
and the little earthenware teapot still
slmmered on the back of the stove in a
hospitable way.
81 hev to be dretful ceremonious with
the Lefton's," said Mrs. Fuller; 'but
can do most as please with you, Mrs.
Jones. %
And as Mrs Jones slipped her cup of tea
and crumbled delicious home made bread
into her bowl of milk, she could hear an
animated conversation going on in the
kitchen beyond. between the old lady and
her son.
"lt's all nonsense, Harry % said Mrs
Fuller, who. being little deaf, did not
always consider how loud she spoke
"What! you to give up your room, and &c
out to the barn chamber Hoity-toity
Amt the kitchen bedroom good enough
for dressmakerp"
FLUSH, mother She is a lady, | tell
you," responded Harry.
"Fiddlesticks !''said Mrs. Fuller.
"And am sure the kitchen bedroom
wouldn't suit her." pursued Harry
"Mother, it is too small and too warm
And if you will fix up mine for her,
would just as soon sleep in the barn these
sultry nights.
"Oh, pshaw," said Mrs. Fuller "Dress
makers hadn't ought to give themselves
airs. And Mrs. Lefton was dreadfully
annoyed when she heard was going tc
take a working woman in to board. She
wouldn't ha' come if she ha' knowed it
she said"
Then l should advise her to stay
away" observed Harry Fuller, with some
emphasis. "But you will make this
arrangement, mother, won't you? TIC
please me -
And he took up the empty milking pal
and went out.
| Mrs. John Jones smiled to herself.
$50 have champion already" she
thought.
Harry Iuller's vacated room. albeit i,
was the high peak of the roof, was a
great improvement on the little hole over
the kitchen which had been intended fol
1.-THE boarder." 1t was large and airy, and
had fine view of the sound, and there
was snug little corner closet for her
dresses, aud big, old-fashioned, claw.
legged bureau for her laces and collars
Il don't think could have been more
pleasantly accommodated at the View no.